He's a pompous, over-exposed, hot-aired rich dude who got a prime-time TV show because he's a pompous, over-exposed, hot-aired rich dude who lucked into a prime-time TV show.

The Donald is a jerk who makes millions because of it. Man, I am tired of this dude.

Thanks Elaine.

Lewis, you're great! Your comments gave me a deep down belly laugh this morning. :)

Really enjoyed your assessment and "objective" view. This is the best take I've read so far...so something positive is coming from it as we're learning how NOT to handle such situations. Thanks Elaine.

Agree with you 100% Elaine.

Trump was wrong to attack Rosie. He should have simply ignored her and it would have gone away.

But Trump probably didn't want it to go away. He craves the spotlight, even when it's not in a flattering way for his "brand." There's been lots of speculation that he made an issue of this to build exposure for his next season of "The Apprentice." This latest episode wouldn't get me to tune in.

I'm sure I'm not among the target demos for his products, but I'd never buy a Donald Trump suit or wear Trump cologne. I know there are many others who would avoid any product with his name on it.

To me, Trump means "tacky." One more example... He's putting up a new building in New Rochelle, and it's the tallest structure in lower Westchester. From some vantage points where I live in Mount Vernon -- about 5 miles away -- you can see the building at night, still under construction. I just noticed the other night, the lights on the top several floors spell out a "T." The people in the car with me when I pointed it out all shook their heads and said how tacky.

Typical of The Donald.

Thanks, CK and David. I agree with David's point that Trump probably craves the spotlight and buys into the old adage that any PR is good PR, especially controversial coverage.

Isn't it ironic that people like Trump, as well as the Brittany Spears, Paris Hiltons, and Anna Nicole Smiths of the world keep our media hopping, making headlines AND mainstream news even though they don't quite merit newsworthy accomplishments?

Elaine & Readers: Paul over at ChaosScenario has a great post on Rosie winning this feud authentically by way of new media. Here's the link:

http://www.chaosscenario.com/main/2006/12/rosie_the_donal.html

My mother didn't live to see the rise of Paris Hilton, Donald Trump, and the like...but one of her favorite quotes nonetheless comes to mind, "All the money in the world doesn't buy class."

And David: A giant T...? I laughed out loud....!

The average person likes conflict especially between the super rich and celebrities. It sells newspapers, increases viewership and attendance at sports games. It’s all part of the “Money is the root of all evil” and the “rich are unhappy” dogma. It makes us, somehow, feel better when people like Rosie and Donald fight, when Brittany is caught without panties and when Mel gets caught drinking and driving. We really love it when people who are seen as pillars of virtue are caught being not so virtuous. Remember Dynasty the TV show. It was widely popular.

Anyway, I believe people like Donald Trump and Rosie understand this and play the system for all they can get. They most likely believe that any news about them is better than no news. They are probably correct. I didn’t check, but what were the ratings for The View during the open fight? I am betting they were higher. Odd that this “feud” occurred just as Donald is about to launch his next season of the apprentice.

How many TV programs can you count that use conflict as a promotional tool?

>Donald Trump is his own brand. To me, this
>>doesn't serve his brand image well, unless he wants
>>his public to think he's a pompous, over-exposed,
>>hot-aired rich dude who lucked into a prime-time TV show.

Elaine, what makes you think this *isn't* the brand image he wants? Everything about him screams it! Have you ever played "Trump: The Game," by the way? It's actually a fun game -- sort of like Monopoly but with more encouragement for deal-making. But Trump's picture is plastered all over everything, including the money. It's pretty hilarious.

Personally, I'm bored by the whole "mischegas". I wish they would both just disappear.

All these comments are great! Thanks for your feedback.

Ann, your mother is one smart lady. I don't believe that Mr. Trump will ever be considered someone with class.

Harry, you have a good point. Misery loves company, so perhaps average unhappy people enjoy hearing about the trials and tribulations of some celebrities. On the other hand, there are the underdogs or "nice" famous people who garner a lot of sympathy from their public. Look at the hoopla about Princess Diana years after her death. Although she married into royalty and lead a life of luxury and riches, the British public felt badly for her, adored her, respected her charitable work, and insisted on a funeral befitting royals, which she was not at that point. That's just one example.

And David. Maybe you're right. Maybe The Donald perpetuates this "bad, rich boy" brand image. I never played the Trump game, and frankly, don't expect to any time soon!

Irv, you're a hoot! For those who don't know the meaning of "mischegas," it's Yiddish for craziness.

As for me, call me boring, I would rather hear about real news in the world over celebrity gossip any day. It disturbs me that our society is so engrossed in this stuff when we're at war with extremists; the African continent is teeming with AIDS and tribal warfare; Iran is moving towards nuclear capability; and in the U.S. over 49 million Americans have no health insurance. Too bad more people aren't talking and blogging about these injustices.

Oh well. End of soapbox.

I agree with you Fogel.
I am a recent graduate of a small Canadian univeristy's Business Communication programme. I have a penchant for Public Relations and in order to get a feel for the field, I typically watch/study the goings-on of financially successful individuals and business tactics of the Fortune 500 and analyze where they went right and wrong.

Trump's behaviour is a nightmare!
He is NOT the only celebrity in the corporate world whose name has been in the butt of many comedians jokes. I'm no expert but I agree with you hands down that the best thing for Trump to have done was to let it slide off his back and if he wanted to sue, at least conduct himself and his word choice in a civi manner. Unbelievable! I am curious to see as to whether or not he does in fact pull money "out of her big, fat ass."

Totally unnecessary. Trump NEEDS business etiquette lessons and a smidgen of social intelligence.

I, too, prefer real news to celeb gossip and self-promotion. But we may be in the minority.

A typical example: yesterday's New York Post had on its front page a story about Nicole Kidman's husband (I can't remember his name now) cheating on her, with a full-page photo of the leggy model he messed around with. There was a small mention of Sadam's hanging sentence, and not a word aboiut the death of a former President.

Priorities?

Well in the end people need heroes and villains. President Ford was a hero and Trump a villain. “The world is but a stage” some English writer once wrote. I forgot his name because they didn't have tabloids back then. (:-)

Harry, the tabloids wouldn't have covered that writer whose name you can't recall unless he had an affair with the Queen, murdered a popular courtesan, or slept with some wealthy French banker.

Actually, he may have done any or all of those things, but journalism was a bit different then, and blogs weren't too popular since computers worked kind of slowly on coal.

Have a Hapy New Year, all.

Great comments.

David, your observation of the New York Post's headlines is indicative of the degeneration of journalism. It's a bit of a Catch-22. The media need customers just like any other market enterprise, so they place fantsatic or sensational headlines and stories front and center to attract the masses. The masses buy into the frenzy because that's what they've been conditioned to hear and read. Some of this may be the result of reduced educational standards over the years, or perhaps Harry is right and people just love the conflict.

Here's my analogy: If every menu had only chocolate on it, we'd inevitably order chocolate. After all, it tastes good and even though it isn't good for us, we'd get used to it. Quality journalism and interest in the real stories of this world need to be presented on the menu more often - in an intriguing, creative way to compete with shlock. Maybe this could help "market" a varied journalistic menu to the public.

One additional note: some media outlets are already doing this, and I highly respect them for it. I'd be interested in learning what the ROI is on these attempts and if the business case can be made for further efforts.

Elaine: Nice analogy on chocolate. Though admittedly I would demand chocolate even if it weren't on the menu because its value prop. is so strong :-). And great convo here, you go girl!

David: I have thoroughly enjoyed your commentary throughout this post. For those of you who don't yet know David Reich, he's a PR pro with lots of integrity. I'm blessed to call him pal (and he teaches me a lot, too).

Thanks, CK. I get it about chocolate. It truly is a sinful gift.

Nice to know about David. Seems like so many of the MarketingProfs bloggers live and work in the northeast, which makes the connection even stronger if you can get together. I gave up the cold and snow for the Sonoran Desert, so if any fellow MP bloggers/writers visit Phoenix for any reason, look me up!

Elaine -- MP bloggers are spread pretty evenly throughout the US, with small pockets in NY and CA, and also international.

Unfortunately, as you suspect, you are the only contributor in Arizona. But you know, I'd take lonely but warm anyday!

Had been thinking identical thoughts to yours about The Donald. I'm sure he thinks he knows PR better than any PR professional he might hire. It's just his own arrogance. He's topped even himself this time however. Everyone realizes that with his womanizing over the years he is a chauvanist of the highest order...but insulting Rosie's body-type and God-given looks just point out even more how shallow he really is. Probably homophobic besides. Pity him for being such a loser!